Yes, it is very much disbelief in the first few days, be patient with yourself and don't expect to feel normal in a matter of days. When my father died it was surreal, almost like it was someone else's parent who had passed away.

Bessie I hope DD2 gets better quickly

Not much flying here today.

Up too bleedin' early to take OH to the airportShoppingBack home Fed dogsPut shopping away WM onDrinks, then cooked lunchRoped DDs in to help empty DW and put shopping awayWatered garden while DDs swamDinnerDogs againDDs are now in bed, almost everything is done. Need to empty DW and reload, we had fish for dinner and I don't want to wake up to those plates. Packed lunches are halfway done, just need to add tuna and chop some salad in the morning.

Zoo that virus -if it's the norovirus- takes a while to shake off. My DDs where off school 2 weeks with it. Left them feeling very weak. I know that doesn't help you, but if you know it'll take time to recover you don't keep wondering how much longer iyswim.

Today I'm out running errands. 2 down, loads to goDogs have been fed, DDs deposited at school with packed lunch. WM is on and will be emptied when I get back. I'll pop back here later, TTFN

Hi all, Think my head is still in a bit of a muddle. DD had a good birthday. I can't sleep for long, think I'm getting around 5 hours a night lately.

I need to write out a list although I'm gonna do it with pen and paper.

Mums in a bit of a muddle too as we don't know what her rights are. I don't know how the law works if you are a partner to someone and then they die.(They weren't married but had lived together for about 17 years)

I might see if I can find anything out for her. Not quite sure where to look but thought I would try the library or C A B. I also know someone who works with familys so not sure if she could help.

Yes, ask the friend who works with families, she can probably point you in teh right direction. C A B should also be able to help too.

Zoo how are things today?

I've been running around again today, but I took some time out for lunch with a friend, she treated me

So, Ta Dah's

Up and dressedRoused DDsMade breakfast for them and coffee for meWM onHarassed DDs to get a move onChained dogsFed and watered dogsPestered DDs to get in the carSet the alarm, triggered the alarm opening door again for DD2 to look for something vital. She couldn't find it.Set alarm, againDrove out and shut gateCame back in to release dogsSchool runRefuelled carDashed back for gardener, he was late so decided to come back this arvo as I needed to leave for the dentist.Emptied DW and cleared breakfast thingsHung clean washingDentistThought about coming back to sort washing machine, then out again to meet friend- had a mooch around the shops instead.Lovely lunch with lovely friendBack homeHung more clean washing & did hand washing WM on, 3rd washMade a coffee and collapsed on the sofa,

catsi think its 10years together gives you entitlement--but dont quote me on it--how long they were together im assuming she will be ok legally

sorry you are still in a tizzle,time will straighten you out

little improvements daily,they still sleeping inin near 9years ive never had them wake after 8 before-they are w aking around 7.30 now although im still waking at 5 expecting them up t5.30damn body clock!

has scoutgone to the US for halloween/thanksgiving?i havent notised her around for ages?

I did clean my fridge shelves a pack of frozen raspberries had defrosted and had a teensy tiny hole. Just big enough for all the juice to seep out overnight and run over everything. Dogs were happy with the borderline chicken.

i am crawking through the dust/cobwebs/detritis back to the wagon and am attempting to haul my sorry bum back into flying!

i started with the sink<shudders at the memory>and teh worksurface nearest to it<dusty and cat hair covered>

20minutes tidying filled 3 carrier bags-2 of recycling

i now need a rest!<out of practise>

aiming to do similar with front room later or tomorrow if gumption fails me

dcs are finally hungry!yay

still sleeping a lot though-ive never had them consistantly sleep past 6 let alone 7 or 8 since they were bornso its been odd not having to get up,although stupid body clock still wakes me

i have a mountain washing ive been neglecting as i dont like to use the airers when there is sickness in the house<doesnt seem clean somehow to me>so i shall have to drag teh TD out from the back of cupboard under the stairs <try to avoid using due to cost>or i will still be playing catch up come xmas!

hope everyones ok

bessieive started a thread asking for ideas for veggie xmas<no quorn>any suggestions most appreciated

Hi all, Seeing mum today. Funeral is next week. Adora mum owns the house but as for any other issues (money, belongings) I'm still not quite sure where she stands. She might have found some things out as she has been fairly busy around town etc.

I'm still feeling mixed about "step dad" dying. it was such a shock (heart attack).I know I didn't always get on with him but it's still a lot to get my head round. My Grandad only died in September so maybe having 2 deaths in such a small space of time is too much to get your head round!

I am also trying to be a support to mum and my DS as he is upset about it all. He saw him as a grandad you see. My DD is too young to understand whats going on.

Cats I'm sure it is rough, two deaths so close together. Not sure what o suggest about DS, but try to encourage him to express what he's feeling, either through talking or writing stories, it will help him to process it.

Zoo, yep that virus leaves them exhausted, and us after looking after them. The worst point for me was when OH came into the room as I had just cleaned up, again, and asked me "what's for lunch" we now have an agreement he's probably forgotten it that if I am looking after a sick child he just get's on with making lunch and he doesn't ask me about it at all.

Good luck with your washing. I'm heading out to do errands again today so there won't be a whole lot of flying here either. Morning routine is done and dusted, I need brekkies now.

I have come here to escape for a bit. DS is upset, DH and DS were getting into a disagreement about the xbox --bloody thing-- wish xboxes weren't invented!!!I should really be going out to do some shopping but I think I will get DD to bed first and hope DH and DS calm down a bit. At least their is no school run tomorrow!

Cats sorry you're having to listen to DS and DH disagreeing, hope they sort it out soon.

I've spent the day running hither and thither and didn't have time to get school socks, this time of year I can only get them in the uniform shop.

Cleared away breakfast thingsPut DW onMaintenance wash doneHeadless chicken impersonation in townSchool runTook DDs and a classmate to the party. Party was great, there was a bouncy castle and football but the pool was out of bounds, lovely cake though.

Returned home with exhausted and over exited DDsSecured dogsSent DDs to bedFed dogsBrought shopping inFreed dogsCuddled DDsPoured some vino and flicked the TV on

Things went a bit better today and I got the shopping done .Not gonna be much housework done here over the next couple of days apart from a bit of washing and kitchen stuff. too much else going on.Hoping we may start to get a bit of "normal" life return after Monday.

Yesterday I did all the laundry, DDs can't complain that their uniform isn't ready because I pointedly spent the whole day doing laundry DD1 told me on Friday, I think - you do nothing all day, so I'm nagging her incessantly to put it in the wardrobe. She's beginning to see what her mistake was

So today, DDs woke me up with breakfast in bed so that we could go out early enough for breakfast in DD1's fav coffees shop before Christmas shopping. They have now completed their shopping apart from my gift, they are going to drag OH out for that when he returns.

When we got back I put shopping awayWatered the gardenMade dinnerCleared upBanished DDs upstairs to bed as it's a school nightEmptied DWMade sandwiches for tomorrowMade tea and collapsed in from of TVSent a few e-mails

<snaffles a wedge banana loaf --and offers some to ds-->he has peadatric appointment for 7th dec and,despite school not being impressed,he i sat homei had to buy new trousers with drawstrings all his feel down-he has to go shopping in little zoos leggings!he was exhausted walking round three shops and came home and lay downhe was tired after dropping the girls back at school today<we decided that meant it was chocolate oclock and stuck into some celebrations>i have done breakfast and packed lunches for girlsquick clear up in front room fed catsi will be googling some things for him to do while school tries to sort some work from home stuff

scout is limping at the moment-i havent any money til tomorrow and its too farwithout transport to get him to a vet so having to keep an eye on him.he quiet and sleeping a lot but still eats when i put down some wet food<ignoring the kibble>

I have a horrible cold too adora. DD1 has an ear infection & DD2 must be coming down with something as she has been up every hour or two throughout the night <yawn>

Hope you are ok cats& glad DS hasn't got long to wait for his apt zoo

I finally got round to putting the double bed in DD2s room on the for-sale board at work yesterday, need to get more stuff on there soon. We finally made the ikea cupboard at the weekend & I have filled it with stuff! Just need to get rid of the old cupboard now & I can start trying to clear the room ready for Xmas!!

I left work 20min early yesterday because a carpenter was supposed to be coming round (I want some shelves put in my built in wardrobe), but he cancelled, so I cleaned the bathroom instead!

Bessie I hope all of you feel better very soon. I haven't been sleeping much but can't blame it on DDs, they've been sleeping like babies , it's all down to this cold. I am on the mend at last I think I had a fever last time I posted.

I'm not great at the mo. seen HV and she phoned GP cause I was down etc, so I had to see him and he has referred me to counselling. I feel a bit lost for words really. I will try to lurk on and off on this thread just to keep up with what you all doing.

Aw Cats I'm sorry you're feeling so low, but it's great that you are getting some help. Counselling doesn't mean you've done something wrong, don't be embarrassed about it, or worried. It really can help, good luck with it.

I'm still trying to shake off this cold, can't breath well even with euculiptus oil stuffed up me nose on a tissue. So, after returning from school run and feeding the dogs I've managed to have breakfast and spend far too long MNing. I just folded clean towels but I'm not looking forward to walking up the stairs with them. It's pathetic really, now I'm sneezing, again. Recycling has built up, and up, through the week, must get rid of it. I need to go out later, buy yet another book for school.